Chapter 113 - 40: Unexpected Situation

Chapter 113: Chapter 40: Unexpected Situation

At Jennifer’s recommendation, Lilia met with Nokes, who was said to be proficient in Divine Arts.

After talking with her all night, Nokes and his companion finally understood what Lilia meant by "breeding."

In theory, when Nokes used Divine Arts to increase crop yields, he not only increased the fertility of the land but also improved the seedlings themselves.

This was, in effect, a preliminary step in breeding.

However, before Lilia, no one had ever thought of saving the seeds from these crops.

In their eyes, the thing that increased yields was the Divine Arts of the Holy Order; it had nothing to do with the crops themselves.

Thus, when Lilia proposed such a bold idea, they all stared in shock at the young Lord.

It hadn’t been proven yet, but...

Logically, at least, the method was flawless. It had a high probability of success!

’To come up with a method like this, this young Lord must be a research genius!’

Lilia, however, had no intention of taking the credit.

’It wasn’t that they couldn’t think of it because they were dumber than her, but simply because their way of thinking was constrained.’

’In an age where Divine Arts and Magic existed, it was only natural they wouldn’t focus on science—on summarizing and applying natural laws.’

’After all, every law of nature could simply be attributed to the effects of Divine Arts or Magic.’

With Nokes’s help, the breeding process could be shortened indefinitely. They could even use different Divine Arts to directly select for specific traits.

Whether the seeds from these crops would retain their high-yield characteristics was something that had to be verified through experimentation.

Things on Lilia’s end were in full swing.

The news that reached Viscount Belmont was that the young Lord was having a wild time in Navia. She had even rented a plot of land from a farmer, supposedly to experience an authentic rustic life.

About five days later, an invitation was delivered to Lilia’s residence.

It was a welcome banquet prepared by Viscount Belmont for her and Victor.

When the invitation arrived, Lilia had just returned from the fields. She took off her wide-brimmed straw hat and wiped the sweat from her brow with a damp towel Rebecca handed her.

"Victor is going too?" Lilia asked, opening the invitation.

"Viscount Belmont sent him an invitation, but whether he’ll actually go is anyone’s guess," Rebecca answered.

Victor was a Great Mage, after all. In terms of social status, he was by no means inferior to Princess Lilia.

Rebecca picked up the dresses draped over the back of a chair. "Your Highness, I’ve already selected a few dresses that would be perfect for the banquet. Would you like to try them on to decide which one to wear?"

The young girl’s voice was full of excitement, her eyes fixed on Lilia with anticipation.

Dressing Lilia up in all sorts of different outfits every day had been one of her favorite pastimes for the past six months.

Lilia glanced over. "Whatever’s fine."

She had been very busy lately.

With Nokes’s help, this batch of crops was growing quickly. She would probably have to check on the fields on the day of the banquet, so she might not have time to change.

Rebecca understood her implication and visibly deflated. "Alright..."

Seeing her disappointed expression, Lilia hesitated.

"...Hold on."

She said with a sigh, "Bring them over. I’ll pick one."

!

The young girl instantly perked up, completely revitalized. "Yes! Please try this one first! I brought it all the way from Hillflan. It’s guaranteed to be both comfortable and beautiful!"

...

The banquet was scheduled for the following evening.

Lilia finished her work, hastily bathed, and changed her clothes. Despite her best efforts to be on time, she was still a little late.

Fortunately, Viscount Belmont didn’t seem to mind too much—at least, not outwardly.

Outside the banquet hall.

The girl, dressed in a formal gown, emerged from her carriage with the help of an attendant.

Under the glow of the lamps, her loose black hair shone with a brilliant luster, like the finest silk. The pale pink gown, rather than making her complexion appear dull, instead accentuated her skin’s smooth, jade-like radiance. It looked so fine and delicate one might think a single breath could break it.

The moment she appeared, the crowd, which had been whispering about her tardiness, fell silent. A look of stunned admiration flashed in everyone’s eyes, men and women alike.

At that moment, the wait in the cold wind seemed to become a reward in itself.

It was the price one had to pay to see the Princess in person.

Viscount Belmont instinctively adjusted his collar and strode forward.

"With Mr. Rockwell absent and your own arrival uncertain, I was starting to think this banquet was prepared in vain. Thankfully, it seems it will be put to good use after all."

Dressed in a crisp formal suit, he acted the part of the host, speaking as he escorted Lilia into the hall.

Lilia nodded lightly in response.

’So Victor really didn’t come.’

’Aside from his dislike of such occasions, he was probably avoiding me on purpose, too.’

She had been so busy with the breeding project lately that she hadn’t paid any attention to what Victor was up to.

’This is a good chance to find out from Belmont.’

The two chatted amicably. Viscount Belmont asked about her stay, while Lilia subtly tried to find out where Victor had been lately.

’The Valgipps Mountain Range?’

’That name again.’

"Speaking of which..."

Lilia feigned curiosity. "I haven’t been there yet. Are there any interesting places to visit?"

Hearing this, Viscount Belmont couldn’t help but smile.

’Just a child who loves to play, as I thought.’

"Princess Lilia, that is no place for fun," he reminded her with a raised eyebrow. "Not a blade of grass grows in the Valgipps Mountain Range. It’s widely known as a place completely devoid of life."

"Aside from powerful Mages, any ordinary person who goes there could be risking their life."

"For your own safety, Princess, it would be best for you to stay away from there."

The girl blinked. "But I’m a powerful Mage, too."

Belmont faltered mid-step. "You jest, Your Highness."

He said with a laugh, "You must mean there is a powerful Mage in your entourage, correct?"

Very few people knew that Lilia and her companions were studying under Victor. In Belmont’s eyes, she was likely just a naive Little Princess who had grown up sheltered in the palace, ignorant of the ways of the world.

Lilia smiled and didn’t explain further.

’She didn’t need to prove anything to Belmont.’

She let the topic drop.

The two stepped into the main banquet hall.

The next moment, at the butler’s signal, the orchestra began to play, and a soothing, elegant melody filled the hall.

Just as Viscount Belmont was about to invite Lilia to sample the specially prepared food, a middle-aged man in a suit approached and whispered something in the Viscount’s ear.

Belmont’s expression instantly turned serious.

He muttered a few names—likely some of the most powerful nobles in Navia—and told the man to have them wait for him in the upstairs reception room.

After the middle-aged man acknowledged and departed, Belmont turned back to Lilia. "My sincerest apologies, Princess. Something has come up that requires my attention."

"I must excuse myself for now."

"Please, enjoy the rest of the banquet."